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Buried Treasure
Iron and Copper In the house of the righteous is much treasure.—Proverbs 15:6 David Stein Many may remember childhood stories of pirates and their buried treasure. We might have imagined ourselves as seeking and finding such treasures and its riches. But gold, silver, and precious gems are not the only things that constitute buried treasure. The mineral wealth of our planet is part of that wonderful inheritance God has given to us. And while this buried treasure is often misused in this age of sin and death, it is, nevertheless, intended to enrich the human race. In the promises given to Israel, Moses, under instruction from God, lists the blessings this earth will yield to those who obey his law: “For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills” (Deuteronomy 8:7-9, NIV). The King James version of the Bible renders the Hebrew word (Strong’s #5178) as brass instead of copper, an obvious error. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and one does not dig alloys out of hills. Subsequent quotations from the KJV in this article will substitute copper for brass to correct this error. Iron and copper are precious treasures that the promised land would yield to God’s obedient people. If a land lacks mineral wealth, it lacks something essential. Wars have been fought by aggressive countries to obtain raw materials their own land does not possess. But God made full provision for his people in the form of “buried treasure.” Theses two minerals are also used symbolically in Scripture and become a true treasure buried in the words of the Bible. Here is where both elements are first mentioned together: “And Zillah, she also bare Tubal-cain, an instructor of every artificer in copper and iron” (Genesis 4:22). Tubal-cain was a descendent of Cain and evidently a talented craftsman using copper and iron to make tools and perhaps even pieces of art. This pre-flood reference shows man had learned much about using the raw minerals of the earth for his work and pleasure. Copper is next mentioned in connection with the Tabernacle, the temporary tent or dwelling place for God during the wilderness wandering of the Israelites. All the metals used in the Tabernacle have symbolic significance. No iron was used but gold, copper, and silver appear in numerous places. Gold, an element of great value, represents the divine nature, incorruptible and likewise of great value. Silver represents truth. Copper, which superficially resembles gold, represents perfect human nature. This is the nature of man who was created in the image of God. This symbolism is repeated numerous times in Scripture.
Iron is mentioned metaphorically in association with
the exodus: “But the LORD
hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out
of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day”
(Deuteronomy 4:20). Here the iron furnace symbolizes a difficult experience. The
hardness of iron requires extremely high heat before it will melt{FOOTNOTE: The
melting temperature of iron is 2,797° Fahrenheit; copper melts at 1,984°
Fahrenheit.} and so it reflects symbolically the hardness of the experience.
Because iron is an extremely strong metal, it is also a symbol of strength. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream The combination of both iron and copper is found in several Scriptures and provides some prophetic lessons. A notable use of both elements is in the vision of Nebuchadnezzar: “Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great. The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: the leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; he cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches: nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and copper, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth: let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him. This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” (Daniel 4:10-17). This vision concerns rulership. God has the authority to give rulership to and take it from whomever he pleases. This vision was literally fulfilled when God took away Nebuchadnezzar’s authority to rule for seven literal years during which this formerly great king was reduced to the level of a beast, living in the field and eating grass. The bands of iron and copper symbolically prevent the tree from sprouting. So Nebuchadnezzar could not rule during those seven years. But the rulership was preserved and he assumed his authority again at the end of that period. This lesson has been applied prophetically to the removal of rulership from Israel, because of its unfaithfulness, and giving it to the Gentiles. The length of time for this change in rulership authority is 2,520 years.{FOOTNOTE: The number is obtained by interpreting seven “times” as seven prophetic years of 360 prophetic days each. This totals 2,520 prophetic days which correspond to 2,520 literal years.} At the end of this time, the right to rule returns to whomever God designates. Of course, that designee is Jesus which is why we see him prophetically as a conquering king going about removing nations and displacing their authority (cf., Daniel 2:44; Revelation 11:15). The removal of rulership from Israel took place at the end of King Zedekiah’s reign, the last king of Judah. It constituted a formal suspension of rulership from the throne of David. Thus the bands of “iron and copper” are associated with that suspension of rulership. Another text also conveys a similar thought: “If ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as copper” (Leviticus 26:18,19). Notice the cryptic reference to “seven times”{FOOTNOTE: In this text only the word “seven” appears in Hebrew; the English word “times” is translator-supplied. There are, however, grounds to accept this addition for two reasons: 1) It parallels the Daniel account which does have “seven times” in the Hebrew; and 2) the Septuagint Greek has “seven times.”} associated with iron and copper. This text confirms the application of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to Israel’s loss of sovereignty. Here is another text: “Thy heaven that is over thy head shall be copper, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron. The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed. The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.” (Deuteronomy 28:23-25) There is a bit of ironic and retributive justice in this unfortunate penalty upon Israel. The prophet speaking for God says, “I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow copper” (Isaiah 48:4). Israel’s own stubbornness, their own obstinacy, came back upon them in their loss of rulership. The converse of this is that the removal of “iron and copper” should be associated with the return of rulership, this time under the greater David, Jesus Christ. Psalm 107, a psalm of deliverance, is an example of this. Here is an outline of that psalm: Verses 1 to 9: A description of the church Chorus or Refrain: verses 8, 9 Verses 10 to 16: A description of Israel after the flesh Chorus or Refrain: verses 15, 16 Verses 17 to 22: A description of the Great Company Chorus or Refrain: verses 21, 22 Verses 23 to 32: A description of the world Chorus or Refrain: verses 31, 32 Verses 33 to 43: The Negative and Positive incentives for mankind in the kingdom. Verse 16 reads: “For he hath broken the gates of copper, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.” The bands of iron and copper, the constraints from rulership during the Gentile Times, are broken. Israel’s time to have their own ruler on the throne of David has returned.
A wonderful gem can be mined from a lesson in Genesis regarding Cain’s family. Any detail regarding his family is surprising since Cain committed the first murder in human history. One might expect he would have been smitten by God and quickly forgotten. But, as is usual in Scripture, pictures of the divine plan abound and there appears to be another testimony about that plan here. Instead of destroying Cain as would have been required by God’s later Law of “a life for a life,” God preserved Cain’s life. He even set a sign on Cain to make sure another would not kill him. In this respect Cain’s experience is similar to the nation of Israel. Israel made offerings to God under the Law which were largely not accepted, just as Cain’s offerings were not accepted. Israel became implicated in the murder of Jesus, symbolically their younger brother as Abel was to Cain. The result was a judgment against Israel; they were turned out of their land and became wanderers, much like Cain. Yet God preserved them!
We are given a genealogy of the family of Cain
through seven generations{FOOTNOTE: The seven generations are: 1) Cain, 2)
Enoch, 3) Irad, 4) Mehujael, 5) Methusael, 6) Lamech, 7) Tubal-Cain and Jubal.},
perhaps reflecting the experiences of Israel up to the establishment of the
kingdom. Except for the seventh generation, no accomplishment of merit is
recorded. Lamech, the sixth generation, does have an experience that is
recorded. He confesses to a murder and the implication is that it was not done
out of hate, but rather self-defense. This could represent Israel at the time
the kingdom is set up, a time when they are in a state of confession and
repentance over the death of Jesus. This will be followed by the removal of
their blindness and the restoration of rulership that will operate in that
regathered nation. In the seventh generation, there are many kinds of
meritorious accomplishments, blessings coming from Israel in the kingdom. Of
particular interest is that Tubal-Cain worked with copper and iron
(Genesis 4:22). These symbols seem completely consistent with an application to
the restoration of rulership in the kingship of Jesus over restored Israel. The
symbol of “iron and copper” which controlled and constrained them is turned into
a servant for them. They have control returned and from this flow good things! Conclusion Iron and copper are treasures mined from the earth. Mining them or any mineral, requires considerable effort before the valuable commodity is obtained. This principle is no less true when it comes to truth. We must dig for truth with the same enthusiasm and tenacity as men dig for earthly treasure. But our reward is much higher. Our Lord and Master, Jesus, is a repository of all truth and Paul spoke of the treasures of truth that may be found in him: “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2,3). Consecrated Christians have the privilege now to understand the mysteries of God. As we come to Christ, we come to the source of all truth and gain a knowledge of God. We also gain the wisdom to apply these truths in all activities of life. If we live a life buried with Christ, we will discover the buried treasures of God’s divine plan. |